Chiefs duo in Welsh squad to face England

By Mark Stevens
23/2/23

Exeter Chiefs duo Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins have both been named in Wales' side to play England in the Guinness Six Nations Championsip at a sold-out Principality Stadium on Saturday (4.45pm).

Tshiunza is in line to win his fifth Test cap when he lines-up in the back-row, while Jenkins - a starter against Scotland last time out - is named on the bench as head coach Warren Gatland recalls the vastly experienced Alun Wyn Jones alongside Adam Beard in the second row.

Elsewhere, Mason Grady will make his senior international debut, partnering Joe Hawkins in the Wales midfield, while Owen Williams is named at fly-half with Tomos Williams at scrum-half.

Gloucester's Louis Rees-Zammit returns from injury to take a place on the wing with Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny completing the Wales back three.

Joining captain Ken Owens in the front row are Gareth Thomas and former Exeter Chiefs tight-head Tomas Francis.

Gatland said: “There’s some experience coming back into the side with Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones and also Leigh Halfpenny.

“And then we’re mixing that with giving players an opportunity. Owen Williams coming in at ten – we need to find out about that ten position so Owen gets a chance.

“We’ve given Mason Grady a first cap. He’s a big lad, he’s got some really lovely rugby skills and offloading ability. He’s quick, so he’s the kind of centre that I think is going to have it all going forward. He’s got a good rugby head on him. He’s still pretty inexperienced so the big message to him has been ‘what’s the biggest thing you need to work on?’ He said 'keep talking and keep communicating', so that’s been the focus for him and I’ve been really happy with him in training.

“The message to the players has been let’s draw a line in the sand in terms of what’s been going on and focus completely on the rugby. We know the history of Wales and England; what that means to everyone in Wales, so we’ve got to go out there and give a good performance.

“For both teams this is a massive game because we win on Saturday and we can get things on track a little bit more. For England it’s a huge game because if you look at their final two games that’s a challenge too, so it’s a huge moment in this competition.”

WALES SIDE TO FACE ENGLAND

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 97 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 46 caps)
13. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 3 caps)
11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 22 caps)
10. Owen Williams (Ospreys – 4 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 42 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 18 caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 88 caps, capt)
3. Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 68 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 43 caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 156 caps)
6. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 4 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 90 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 97 caps)

16. Bradley Roberts (Dragons – 3 caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby – 19 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 47 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 3 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 6 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 16 caps)
22. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 105 caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 25 caps)